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Fr. Mark Kendall calls on all Actors in the Judicial System to Do Better

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

#TurksandCaicos, January 20, 2024 – “I say to you—   as a representative of the people of the Turks and Caicos, for those who may not have a voice and those who are in prison on remand. Court dates ought not to be postponed  over and over and cases dragged out by the whim and fancies of counsel,” was the serious warning from Father Mark Kendall as he spoke during the January 4 2024 Legal Year Opening church service held at the St. Monica’s Anglican church in Providenciales.

Fr. Kendall encouraged the gathered judicial officers to address the length of time suspects were spending on remand and several other issues.

“In the book of Ecclesiastes we read in chapter 8 and vs 11 because defense against an evil deed is not executed speedily the human heart is fully set to the evil,” he continued, “ In visiting the prison in the past the inmates invariably complained about their cases taking interminable time to progress.”

“Even worse,” Kendall lamented, “are the incidents of attorneys taking payments but not pressing the matters for which clients have paid,” he said.

Kendall stressed too that the conviction rate was too low locally.

“The correlation between the occurrence of crimes and convictions is lopsided,” he continued “I dare say that national progress in the Turks and Caicos islands is stymied by nepotism, cronyism, and island insularity.”

Both defense lawyers and the prosecution were held responsible for this failing by the church rector.

“It is annoying when defendants get off scot-free because of technicalities in the law or defense attorneys capitalizing on— the law, we see the manipulation of the law making it malleable and docile as necessary to confound the prosecution,”  he claimed.

It must be noted that all defendants under TCI law are innocent until proven guilty and defense attorneys, many of whom offer their services to legal aid, have the overarching responsibility to protect their clients.

The prosecution did not escape unscathed, as Kendall criticized the “insipidness of their preparation,” as part of the low conviction rate.

Fr. Mark Kendall also expressed dismay at the gap operations in the past resulting from inadequate staff.

“Never again must the Turks and Caicos have only two functioning judges,” he said.

Yet, despite these strong warnings, Fr. Kendall, commended the increased number of judicial personnel.

The issues are longtime complaints of residents in relation to the judiciary and were also addressed by Angela Brooks, Acting DPP, who promised fixes for them in the current legal year.

The clergyman also said the government should consider reassessing the monetary allocations given to the judiciary to make sure they are properly funded.

“There must be correlation with regard to the institutions of the country. We are happy individuals can benefit from the economic boom but the institutions must also reflect that they are benefiting.”

Reflecting on the Government’s system of allocation to various arms and departments he said,  “Perhaps it is that some of the agencies that the departments or sectors of the judiciary, and the court system in the Turks and Caicos islands need more.”

Kendall also gave his opinion on the current privately owned buildings that house the various courts, stressing that they should be publicly owned and their security handled by the Office of the Chief Justice.

He warned of  the possible financial ramifications that could occur because of the lack of security regarding members of the bench.

Fr. Kendall’s speech came mere hours before the Chief Justice of the country would make an unprecedented call for more funding and better accommodations for the country’s courts.

Currently in the Turks and Caicos, there is not enough space for all the courts to sit simultaneously without displacing each other. In some cases like Grand Turk, the Magistrate’s court and Supreme Court have to alternate for a shift system which slows down the judicial process.

Citizens of the Turks and Caicos were also called on by Fr. Kendall to stop ‘hiding out’ from jury duty when they were called; he urged citizens to play their part in the execution of Justice.

Bahamas News

EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center Officially Opens to Help Students Wishing to Study in the US

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Ribbon cutting

By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services



NASSAU, The Bahamas — The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country have personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin thanked the US government for opening up the Center to help residents achieve the goal of going to a tertiary institution in the US.

The Education Minister said during a recent trip to Cuba, she learned that high school is called “pre-university”.

She noted that many students in The Bahamas believe that after high school, they should go out and work.

She said, “While there is nothing wrong with that, the secondary school experience should be seen as a launching pad for something more, further and greater.  We want our young people to see themselves in that way.

“We want to encourage our young people, all of them going through high school, that they are in pre-university.  It is just the launching pad for more that is out there for them.”

The Minister added that students should not only see their individual potential, but also come back home after going to a tertiary institution abroad to help build national capacity.

President, BTVI, Dr. Linda Davis; US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish; EducationUSA Regional Manager for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, Giselle Dubinsky; Public Affairs Officer/US Embassy, Suemayah Abu-Douleh also attended the opening.

Dr. Davis said the use of the Center is not limited to BTVI students.  “Bahamians and residents throughout The Bahamas wishing to study in the US should consider EducationUSA at BTVI as their official source of information.”

She explained that in 2019, BTVI and the US Embassy signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to establish the Center on BTVI’s main campus.

“The Center was operationalized in 2023 and today we celebrate its inauguration.  BTVI is pleased to finally reach this milestone and join the global network of over 400 EducationUSA Advising Centers, tasked with facilitating much needed guidance and support for students wishing to matriculate to a US institution.”

The US Chargé d’Affaires said EducationUSA aims to make opportunities to study at US tertiary institutions more accessible to students by providing them with the guidance and resources they need to pursue their academic dreams in the US.

She also explained that part of the mission of the Center is to ensure that students choose tertiary institutions that are accredited.

“The Center will serve as a hub for students, parents and educators seeking information about US higher education.  Our advisor Breann Marshall is here to assist every step of the way from selecting the right institution to understanding the VISA requirements.”

PHOTO CAPTION

BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna

Header : Ribbon Cutting

The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country obtain personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions.  US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish and Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

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Advisor, The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center, Breann Marshall (centre) shows Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin and US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish around the Center.

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Caribbean News

Positive Start to 2024/25 Academic Year at Several Schools

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Kingston, September 14, 2024 – Officials of the Ministry of Education and Youth and school administrators are reporting a smooth start to the 2024/25 academic year, on Monday (September 2), at several institutions.

This, in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which threatened to derail reopening at some schools.

Ministry of Education Regional Director for St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland, Dr. Michelle Pinnock, provided updates on various schools in those parishes.

She told JIS News that Bethel Primary School in Hopewell, Hanover, was undergoing clean-up efforts following the completion of construction work.

The Regional Director said grade-five and six students were present on Monday, with plans in place for full resumption on Tuesday (September 3).

Meanwhile, she advised that students of Kendal Primary School, also in Hanover, will be temporarily housed in two community church halls while the administration awaits the completion of a new building being constructed by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

“Kendal Primary is getting a building from JSIF, which is basically a whole school; even before Hurricane Beryl, the arrangements were made,” Dr. Pinnock told JIS News.

Over at Barracks Road Primary School in Montego Bay, St. James, which sustained roof damage, among other challenges, arrangements were made to ensure the students’ safety and continuity of learning.

“The rains that came last week made us realise that we have some extensive damage to the membrane of the roof.  So, we are staggering the children and, on Wednesday, we will be using Faith Temple Church as an external site. The church has an area very near to the school, and we are going to be hosting students there,” Dr Pinnock informed.

The Regional Director expressed satisfaction with the overall start of the academic year for schools under her office’s purview, noting that some institutions may need to adjust timetables to accommodate teacher availability.

She also highlighted ongoing training initiatives to facilitate independent student learning through Google classrooms.

Meanwhile, Principal of Siloah Primary School in St. Elizabeth, O’Neil Larmond, shared that there was a positive start to the academic year for his institution, citing active parental involvement and a full staff complement for Monday’s opening.

“With a student population of over 500, Siloah Primary is off to a great start. We had a member of the Anglican Church doing devotion for us this (Monday) morning and we [had] close to 200 parents in attendance also. So, after devotion we had a brief meeting with our parents. We [had] our full staff complement and we have water and electricity,” the Principal told JIS News.

Ministry of Education Regional Director for St. Thomas, Portland and St. Mary, Yashieka Grant, reported that the majority of public schools in the area successfully reopened, with only two exceptions.

Mrs. Grant, who acknowledged the impact of Hurricane Beryl, welcomed the successful resumption of classes at the institutions which reopened.

“We have 165 public schools in this Region, and all, except two of them, [were] open to students [on Monday]… so we are grateful for that,” she told JIS News.

Principal of Scotts Pass Primary and Infant School in Clarendon, Mark Powell, also reported a smooth start to operations at his institution, highlighting the importance of establishing classroom routines and building relationships with students from the onset of the academic year.

He told JIS News that, during Monday’s start, “teachers [were] laying down the ground rules, getting to know their students and familiarising them with procedures again”.

As schools navigate various challenges and adjustments in the early days of the new academic year, educators and administrators remain committed to providing a supportive and engaging learning environment for students.

 

CONTACT: ANDREW LAIDLEY

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Bahamas News

Black Island Girl Relaunches with Expanded Features and Multimedia Focus

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Jael Josephs Digital Platform Embarks on a New Chapter of Empowerment and Creativity

 

Jael Joseph has officially relaunched BlackIslandGirl.com, transforming her passion project into a dynamic multimedia platform that caters to a wide array of interests and communities. Originally created in 2021 as Joseph’s capstone project at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Black Island Girl has now evolved into a comprehensive digital space that reflects her creative vision and commitment to representation, storytelling, and empowerment.

The newly revamped site features a broad range of content sections, including Beauty, Business, Culture, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, Politics, and “The BIG Feature,” a spotlight segment focusing on in-depth stories and profiles. In addition to articles and features, the site’s new “What’s New” section provides event promoters with the opportunity to list their events, making Black Island Girl a go-to source for cultural and community engagement.

One of the most significant changes in this relaunch is the platform’s shift towards multimedia offerings. Businesses can now request custom commercials and podcasts, giving them new avenues to promote their products and services. This expanded functionality opens the door for Black Island Girl to tap into every corner of modern media, creating a space that engages audiences through multiple forms of content.

Advertisers can now leverage the platform’s growing reach, promoting their brands and services within a diverse and inclusive community. Jael Joseph’s vision for the site goes beyond traditional media, offering opportunities for men and women alike to find inspiration, learn, and connect.

The relaunch of Black Island Girl comes at a time when Joseph is dedicating more time and energy to the project, following the registration of Black Island Girl Multimedia. This business venture further underscores her intent to build a creative and empowering space. Under the same multimedia banner, she also released her debut film Territory, a powerful short documentary that has been recognized internationally. Territory was nominated at several film festivals and took home the award for Best Short Documentary at the 2023 Caribbean Tales International Film Festival, marking another major achievement in Joseph’s creative career.

This relaunch highlights the multifaceted talent of Jael Joseph and her dedication to creating a platform that not only showcases her work but also serves as a source of inspiration for others. With its enhanced offerings, Black Island Girl is now positioned as a go-to multimedia hub for those interested in culture, wellness, business, and more.

As Joseph continues to focus her energy on Black Island Girl, the platform is poised to become an essential digital space that empowers and uplifts. Whether through its rich content, multimedia offerings, or community-focused event listings, Black Island Girl is set to carve out a unique niche in the media landscape, fueled by Jael Joseph’s passion and creativity.

www.blackislandgirl.com

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